Heart : Not For A Moment

This weekend was so sweet.

I had the privilege of leading worship for our 2012 Women's Conference.  There were so many nuggets of truth my heart clung to throughout the event - it was a special weekend to say the least!

{hubby took this - he's so sneaky!}

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A reoccurring theme in my life as of late has been summed up by Hebrews 13:5, it says...

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 

Now tell me you aren't comforted by that verse?!  Money is nothing, contentment is everything and we are never alone despite what we may think!

I'm finding more and more that when I completely let go and trust in him - my needs are met, my heart is full and my spirit is content {despite a flooded apartment, only having one car in this season of life, not being able to go home for Christmas this year, etc. etc.}.

Friends, life is hard - we all have our difficulties but there is truly nothing better than surrendering our worries, our issues, our anxieties, our "situations" to him.  Because "He will carry us a thousand miles to show, that not for a moment are we forsaken."

I leave you with this....this song was one we sang at the conference this weekend and it's so fitting for where my heart has been.  I hope it meets yours as well...have a wonderful week and know that you are not alone.

XO

Heart : Engaged

So last Tuesday, I randomly declared as "No TV Tuesday."  I don't think hubby and I watch a terrible amount of television, but when we need to unwind at the end of the day, we easily tune everything out and veg in front of our favorite shows.  

In honor of "No TV Tuesday" we decided to take Blakely for a walk to get froyo at our favorite yogurt shop downtown.  It didn't exactly end up being the peaceful walk I had hoped it would be {I forgot it was market night and dogs aren't allowed & hubby got stung by a bee on the way - ha!}, but we came away with funny stories, a great memory and I feel it set the tone for how we spent our time together during the week to come.  We were engaged.

It's so easy to tune people out and not really hear them.  We're great talkers & doers but not so great listeners.  I know I'm guilty of instagramming, tweeting or e-mailing while half listening to hubby's day, or while catching up on the phone with family.  Not only do I miss out on half of the conversation, but I'm missing out on an opportunity to enjoy these precious relationships.

This weekend was wonderful as the "no tv" trend continued.  Hubby and I went for a run together {well, he left me in the dust actually...haha I trailed behind - these Cali hills get me!} along this beach....

And then we decided to take advantage of the sunshine and have a picnic lunch in the park....

{my gfree organic turkey sandwich - yum!}

{so much sunshine!}

We did our grocery shopping together, we did dinner, a movie and card games with sweet friends and we showed hubby's sister and boyfriend around Monterey.  It was a packed weekend {and I'm a bit exhausted - still} but it was so nice to truly engage in the life that lays before me. 

I think "No TV Tuesday" just may become a weekly occurrence in our home!  I encourage you to give it a try. :)

{Blakely's pooped too!}

Lots of love....

- images via danya collyer

Easter Recap

Good afternoon dear readers!

I so hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend.  We certainly did.  While it was busy, it was wonderful.

You didn't hear from me all last week because from sun up to sun down, I was scrambling to complete our new Calvary West building.  I had the privilege of transforming a large multi-purpose room into a beautiful and welcoming video sanctuary.  {I promise, before and after pics are coming.  I'm still adding a few finishing touches to the place.}  Easter Sunday was the launch of Calvary West and it was a hit!  We had a few bugs to work out during our first service {unfortunately}, but our second service was full - we had to bring in extra chairs.  Nothing warms my heart more, than to see (1) a FULL sanctuary, with people still streaming in & (2) people enjoy a space I created.

Here are a few weekend photos I snapped on my iPhone....

{Main Sanctuary Stage}

{Calvary West}

{Arrangements I made for Easter}

{Chalkboard signage that hangs above Calvary West info center}

{Blakely desperate for attention after a long week of me away from home}

{Brunch hubby and I had yesterday as we rested}

{My new Know Your Value print from the wm boutique!  Thanks Allie!}

{Driving around town today....it's a bit gloomy}

Our Life Group is having a potluck dinner tonight and I need to come up with a yummy gfree side, so I better get to it!  I would love to hear about your Easter.

Lots of love...

- all images via danya collyer

Turquoise Bilss

Spring is so close, I can almost feel it! In Florida, spring comes and goes all too quickly {usually, only lasting a few weeks}.  It's the most glorious time of year.  The breeze drifts over the ocean and into the small beach town, the flowers are in full bloom, the trees are greener than green, the white sands are glistening and the ocean is a sparkling turquoise - more inviting than bath water.  But here in Monterey, I have a feeling spring is going to be very different.  The weather seems to vary from day to day.  One day it's cold and foggy, the next its warm and sunny and then the following it's sunny with a biting wind blowing off the Monterey Bay.  I like the variety.  Its more variety than I ever had at home, but it's a bit confusing.  The Florida girl in me just wants to pull out my beach bag and a good book and head to the beach, but that probably won't be happening till my trip home in May.

Anyhow, today was on the warmer side {I was actually able to run with a mere tank top and forgo the sweatshirt}, my skin was overjoyed to feel the sun kissing it, to say the least.  It brought back sweet memories of days relaxing on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico.  Just thinking of all that turquoise water made me anxious to see blue of any shade!  So what do I do in a moment like that?  Shop!  {Well, I haven't committed to any purchases just yet cause hubby has us on a budget, but hey! My birthday is in two weeks??}

I found the most lovely turquoise heels and a fabulous clutch to go with.  All you need is a white tank, a great pair of denim, and wavy locks - you're golden!

{Sorry it's blurry...it came from Pinterest and it served as my inspiration for my turquoise hunt}

{Shoes from Michael Antonio}

{Clutch from Marketa New York Shop on Etsy}

{Oh!  And this beautiful Gold Leaf Cuff would polish the look nicely}

{Catherine Weitzman Plumeria Leaf Golf Cuff}

Oh Sister!

Sadly, sister fun is over till May.  We dropped her off at the airport this morning and as we drove away, I felt the sting of distance.  Having her here for the past two weeks has really made me long for my family.  In Florida, I was just a few streets down from them.  Now, I'm a $600 plane ticket and a full 10 hr travel day away.  It puts a lump in my throat.  Hubby and I are so so so grateful for all of the wonderful opportunities that have come from this move, and we're so confident that this is what we've been praying for, but it's not easy.

On a more positive note, we did SO much while she was here!  I was finally able to play tourist with someone {hubby is working lots and still adjusting to his new schedule}.  Here are a few photos from our adventures....

{Chesli - isn't she a beauty??}

: : : Monterey Aquarium : : :

{Joy the Sea Otter}

: : : Drive Down US1 : : :

: : : Our Venture Into The City : : :

{Hubs  Sis  Blakely}

: : : Golden Gate Park : : :

: : : Golden Gate Bridge : : :

: : : 17 Mile Drive : : : 

: : : Drive Home From Big Sur At Sunset : : :

: : : This Morning's Goodbye : : :

We had two fantastic weeks together and I'm looking forward to our reunion in May.  Until then, it's back to my routine.  Hello workouts - I've missed you!

I'm just a girly girl....

Hi Sweet Friends,

So this week is a special week - my sister is here in Monterey visiting for the next TWO weeks!  It's been a blast so far.  It's only been two days and we've already done lots of sight seeing, coffee drinking, picnic-ing, shopping, cooking, antiquing, nail painting, party planning and plenty of other girly activities.  We're pooped!

As a result of her visit, I've finally returned to the kitchen.  My cooking has been sparse since the move, but I'm becoming more comfortable in our tiny apartment kitchen with each meal.  I'm LOVING the vast variety of fresh {and local} produce available here.  Tuesday is Market day {a day I greatly look forward to on a weekly basis - finally, grocery shopping is enjoyable again} and oh my goodness!  The produce is simply amazing.  I've never tasted strawberries, oranges, blackberries & blueberries so sweet.  This week I picked up homemade gluten free, garlic, basil fettucini noodles, locally grown artichokes, portobello mushrooms, asparagus, & a few yummy fruits.  For my sister's arrival brunch I put my own spin on Eggs Benedict {Portobello Eggs Benny} & for dinner last night, I made a homemade Mushroom Alfredo Sauce to accompany our fresh fettucini noodles & also steamed an artichoke {artichokes are a foreign food to this southern girl...I've known them as a canned confection, until recently}.  All that to say, I have lots of yummy recipes to share.  Once I have a minute to sit and think remember the recipes, I'll be sure to share!  Until then, it's movie time and I'm already late!  Hope you're having a fabulous weekend!

{My Lovely Sister at the Wharf}

{GFree Mushroom Fettucini Alfredo}

{Portobello Eggs Benny}

xoxo.d

Oh! P.S. Here's my Valentine's Day shot....I forgot to share.

- All images via my iPhone.